Luppino wraps up first month as police chief
Washington police Chief Chris Luppino in his office
New Washington police Chief Chris Luppino is shown in his office in front of a framed copy of the newspaper story about him being a third-generation police officer.
When Chris Luppino first pinned on the badge as a Washington police officer just over 18 years ago, he never imagined he would find himself at the helm of the department.
Last month, Luppino was appointed the head of the 31-member department by Mayor Brenda Davis. His appointment was approved by City Council a few days later.
Luppino’s appointment ended an uncertain time in the department that began with the resignation of police Chief Robert M. Lemons in January. Capt. Robert Wilson was named acting chief until his abrupt resignation in late April. He has since returned to the force as captain. Lt. Dan Stanek, head of the detective unit, served as acting chief for about 10 days until Luppino was appointed.
But Luppino is confident that better times are ahead for the department.
“Everybody wants to move forward,” Luppino said of the officers and three clerks in the department. “No one is dwelling on the past. They just wanted to know who their leader was.”
Mayor Brenda Davis admits the department had been on a bit of a roller coaster ride before Luppino was appointed chief.
The 42-year-old had been a member of the department’s detective unit, holding the rank of sergeant when he applied for the job as chief.
“I had several meetings with the mayor that went well. We were both on the same page from the beginning,” Luppino said. “I know where she is coming from and she knows where I am coming from.
“I have a great relationship with her and all of council,” he added. “I’ve worked on issues with them when I was president of the (Fraternal Order of Police) and from knowing them as friends.”
Davis said Luppino is very professional.
“He has a lot of respect. I think with that title, you have to expect a leader,” she said. “I think things in the department have settled quite a bit.”
Luppino is looking to get back to basics in policing.
“I want to follow the chain of command,” he said. “If someone has been given the responsibility of being a shift commander, I want them to be able to handle some of the problems. That will make my job easier. We have veteran lieutenants who can run their shifts, and I have faith in them. And Capt. Wilson runs the day-to-day operation, and he is very good at what he does. I am not going to micromanage.”
Allowing the ranked officers to do their job will free Luppino up to become more involved in the community.
One of the first things he did was remind the officers to wear the uniform proudly.
“I am a stickler for appearance,” Luppino said. “I think we’ve gotten away from it over the years. I want them all to have a uniform appearance.”
But his main focus will be cutting down on crime.
“Per capita, we have three times the crime rate of anywhere else in Pennsylvania,” Luppino said. “We have a good rate of clearing major and minor crimes, 14 percent for major and 40 percent for minor. But I want to look at how to deter crimes.”
Luppino wants to continue to involve the community through the patrol officers, who will do random foot patrols through neighborhoods in all of the zones.
“I want them to learn who is sitting on the porches,” he added. “I think it is good for them to know their neighborhoods and their territory. The more our officers are out there, the better rapport they are going to have with the community.”
Luppino realizes things have changed since he first joined the force in 1995.
“When we had fight calls, it was more than likely to involve fists or baseball bats,” he said. “Now, the first thing we have to think is that there is a gun involved, even in cases of domestic violence.
“There are illegal guns out there and ones gotten in straw purchases,” he added. “They can get them every way possible.”
Davis wants to see more outreach from the department into the community. She believes the department has gotten away from being part of the community.
“I am excited that Chris lives in the city,” she said. “Before, the officers lived in the neighborhoods and stuck true to their roots. If there was a problem in the neighborhood, their neighbors would come to them.”
Luppino would like to attract more minorities in the department, but admits it is difficult because the city has to compete with township police departments that are more likely to offer higher pay.
“Sometimes, it is tough for us to get applicants,” Luppino said. “But I’d like the force to be representative of the community. Back in the day, the officers were born and raised here. And that was always a help.”
Luppino appreciates the cooperation with the surrounding police departments as well as the state police and offices of the Washington County district attorney and sheriff.
“Relationship is a big thing. We have a detective assigned to work with the DA’s drug task force full time. Drugs are an absolute root of most of the crime whether robbery, homicides or thefts,” he said.
Luppino said one of his goals is to go paperless by the end of the year.
“I’d like to get the officers to enter the information directly into the computer,” Luppino said. “That will free up our clerks and eliminate some duplication of effort.”
Since the summer months tend to be busy, Luppino expects to start tackling this project later in the year. He also plans to update the department’s policy manual, something that hasn’t been done in more than 20 years.
“But I don’t plan on reinventing the wheel,” he said.
Given his family history, Luppino’s career path is not surprising. He joined the department in March 1995 after working for other municipal forces in the area. Luppino’s father, Scott Luppino, was a state trooper for 25 years, including a stint in the criminal investigations unit before his retirement. His grandfather, John Luppino, was an East Washington police officer. And his great-grandfather, Vincenzo Luppino, was a member of the Carabinieri in Italy before coming to the United States.
Luppino admits he never imagined himself as chief.
“I enjoyed patrol work and solving cases,” Luppino said. “But I think having done all that, it gives me the tools to do my job and make sure the officers have what they need and be supportive of what they are doing without stepping on any toes.”